Yasue Ota has just
been awarded her PhD in Nursing from Juntendo
University in Chiba. We are delighted that she incorporated HUG Your Baby into
her PhD implementation project to enhance nurses’ ability to promote
mother-infant bonding.

Background: Nurses can play an important role in
facilitating mother-infant bonding during the early postnatal period. But often
nurses do not meet this goal. This researcher
worked to develop a user-friendly, accessible, web-based training to enhance nurses’
ability to facilitate mother-infant bonding.

Methods: First, nurses and mother-baby
dyads were observed. Next, semi-structured interviews with those nurses was conducted, a
literature review was performed and the web-based program was developed. The web-based program included: 1) Completion of HUG Your Baby’s Japanese online program (J. Tedder)
to enhance nurses’ knowledge about infants’ behaviors; 2) training in effective
communication skills and childrearing support to enhance mother-infant bonding
and; 3) review of case studies to apply knowledge and skills to clinical practice.
The ICE Model Theory (F. Young) and the Reflective Approach Model
(G. Gibbs) were applied to the design of this educational program. The program was pilot-tested with ten midwives at a birth center.

Results: There was positive feedback from
nurses about the course’s length, its interest and its level of difficulty.

Conclusion: This comprehensive educational programme
for nurses has the potential to contribute to facilitating nurses’
responsiveness to infants and mother-infant bonding during the early postnatal
period.

"I want to be a good mom!"

Issues of Confidentiality

Specific names and circumstances in this blog are fictional. .

Jan Tedder, BSN, FNP, IBCLC

Jan Tedder, BSN, IBCLC, Family Nurse Practitioner

Jan has worked in a primary care setting with babies and their families for thirty years. A graduate of UNC Charolotte and Chapel Hill, she has lectured at both national and international conferences. She has been honored as the NC Maternal Child Health Nurse of the Year. Her website, DVD, and online training are winners of the 2007 and 2009 National Health and WWW Awards.